How much does the 2016 RAM 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 6.12% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 5,753 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping. If you find a listing below $17,914.61, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 2016 RAM 1500 earns a 4.91/5 user rating, and our experts give it an 8.33/10 rating.

The model scores 9/10 across Form and function, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, spacious interior, and strong performance, especially with the diesel option. The overview also points to a truck that works well for both work and family use, which lines up with the recurring themes in owner feedback. With 28.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.91/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a truck that feels dependable, with repeated praise for its strong performance, practical utility, and overall satisfaction over time. The expert drive notes also emphasize the EcoDiesel V6’s efficiency and the truck’s smooth, car-like air suspension, both of which support a durable, confidence-inspiring ownership experience. The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about core capability and more about finding a truck that has been maintained well and not overworked.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 RAM 1500?

At 65.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage truck or one with towing use. Focus on signs of wear in the cabin, suspension, and tech features, since owner feedback mentions missing or inconsistent equipment on some trucks. If you want the best value, compare condition carefully across trims rather than shopping on price alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Tradesman is light on luxury features, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience. The Laramie brings heated leather seats, 20-inch wheels, and ParkSense with backup camera, while the Limited adds a unique grille, full leather seating, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and a more upscale cabin.
• Powertrain: The EcoDiesel V6 makes 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, with 20 mpg city/28 highway in rear-wheel drive and 19/27 in 4-wheel drive. The base 3.6-liter V6 returns 18 mpg city/25 highway, and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is rated at 15 mpg city/22 highway.
• Safety package: ParkSense front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera are especially useful on this large truck. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity is standard on all trims, but lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring are not mentioned.
• Infotainment: The Limited includes navigation, satellite radio, an Alpine stereo with 9 speakers including a subwoofer, and a large customizable digital screen. Lower trims get a 5-inch touchscreen on Express and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on Sport.
• Fuel efficiency: The EcoDiesel returns 20 mpg city/28 highway in rear-wheel drive and 19/27 in 4-wheel drive. The base gas V6 is rated at 18 mpg city/25 highway, while the V8 returns 15 mpg city/22 highway.

Which 2016 RAM 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2016 RAM 1500 is offered in 5 trim levels: Tradesman, Express, Sport, Laramie, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The Tradesman is the value play, but it lacks the richer comfort and convenience features found higher up the range. If you want the essentials and can live without upscale equipment, it keeps costs down.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Laramie is the best balance for many used buyers because it adds heated leather seats, 20-inch wheels, and ParkSense with backup camera without jumping all the way to luxury-truck pricing.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited is the most luxurious choice, with unique styling, full leather seating, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, navigation, and a premium cabin feel.
• Off-road trim: The Sport is worth a look if you want the larger 8.4-inch touchscreen and standard air suspension, but it’s less compelling if you’re shopping strictly for daily-driver value.

The safety-package trim note is simple: ParkSense with backup camera shows up on the Laramie, while the Limited test truck also had backup camera and parking sensors.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 RAM 1500?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing.

• Deal availability: 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 5,753 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.12% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 65.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,914.61, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 RAM 1500's resale value?

The current average of $17,914 sits slightly below last year's $19,082.

That softer pricing can help you buy more truck for the money today, but it also means future resale gains may be limited if the market stays soft. If you plan to sell later, condition and trim choice will matter a lot, especially for trucks with desirable equipment like the EcoDiesel or Limited features. Strong owner satisfaction should help keep demand steady.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.91/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 RAM 1500 safe?

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The truck comes with a full complement of front and side-impact airbags, plus a standard backup camera and ParkSense front and rear parking sensors on the test model. Those features matter on a large pickup with a long wheelbase, especially if you’ll be parking in tighter urban spaces. The safety content also notes that this truck does not feature lane-departure warning or blind-spot monitoring.

Should I buy a 2016 RAM 1500 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 65.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.12% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.91/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 stands out for its luxury-truck positioning, EcoDiesel efficiency, and available air suspension.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,229, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $17,914 average.
• It offers a broad mix of comfort, performance, and versatility.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger mix of luxury features, diesel appeal, and current-market inventory, the 2016 is the better target. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still delivers much of the Ram 1500’s core appeal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.